3t discovery 750

Patients with AD underwent whole-brain MRI (3T DISCOVERY 750; GE) as part of the clinical assessment. First, trans-axial T2-weighted scans (TR/TE = 1130/80 ms, NEX = 2, voxel size = 0.55 × 0.55 × 10 mm³), 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images (TR/TE = 6000/126 ms, inversion time = 1861 ms, NEX = 1, voxel size = 0.56 × 0.56 × 1 mm³), and high-resolution sagittal T1-weighted images (TR/TE = 9.1/3.7 ms, NEX = 1, voxel size = 0.5 × 0.5 × 1.0 mm³) were acquired. The image analysis and rating procedure has been described in detail previously^{11 (link)}. In short, image analysis included the visual rating of MTA and PA on T1-weighted images. The MTA in the hippocampus was rated using a 5-point scale^{50 (link)}. PA in the posterior cingulate, parieto-occipital region, and precuneus was rated using a 4-point scale^{51 (link)}. Mean MTA and PA scores were calculated for both hemispheres. WMH was evaluated using a scale of age-related white matter change (ARWMC) on axial T2-weighted and 3D-FLAIR images^{52 (link)}. The 4-point ARWMC scale rates WMH in five brain regions per hemisphere.

Of all participants, 132 (52.8%) underwent whole-brain MRI (GE, 3 T DISCOVERY 750, GE Taiwan) in the clinical assessment. Trans-axial T2 weighted scans, 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, and high-resolution sagittal T1-weighted images were acquired. The image analysis included a visual rating of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) and posterior cortical atrophy (PA) on T1-weighted images. MTA was rated on a 5-point scale (0 point, absent; 1 point, minimal; 2 points, mild; 3 points, moderate; and 4 points, severe) on the basis of the height of hippocampal formation and the width of the choroid fissure and the temporal horn [19 (link)]. PA was rated on a 4-point scale (0 point, absent; 1 point, mild sulcal widening and mild atrophy; 2 points, substantial widening and atrophy; and 3 points, severe atrophy) on the basis of the posterior cingulate and parieto-occipital sulcus and the sulci of the parietal lobes and precuneus [20 (link)]. To confirm the consistency of the aforementioned rating methods, several cases were selected and evaluated through a consensus meeting of neurologists.